Lost My Car Keys? Here's What to Do

Whatever way you are, there comes a time when you lose your car keys. When this happens it is crucial to be prepared.

Depending on your vehicle the first phone call you should make is to an auto locksmith or dealership. They can design an alternative key for your vehicle.

1. Retract Your Steps

There are few things more painful than losing your car keys. It can ruin your day, create an anxiety-filled day and even trigger unwanted calls from strangers. It doesn't matter if you are an organized person or not losing your keys could happen to anyone.

The ideal scenario is that they return exactly where you left them. (Parent Logic says this is the case). However, the situation can often be much more serious. If you lose your keys, it is important to remain calm and follow the steps.

It is important to remember that most things won't disappear forever, and they're often found in strange locations. Before you resort to drastic measures, it is a good idea for you to go back and look over your steps. Bring a flashlight with you to search dark corners and drawers. You can also ask someone to assist you for items, because a second pair of eyes can be extremely helpful.

2. Check the Inside

If you haven't found your car keys after retracing your steps and checking in the usual places, such as key hooks, search for them in pockets, bags and jackets that you've worn or wore recently. If you've lost your keys in a shop check with other shoppers or employees if they have noticed something different.

Checking your pockets and bags for missing keys may seem obvious however, you must be thorough. Empty your pockets, even those on jackets and purses. Examine the zippered areas. Also, check the trash and recycling bins to see if any of your keys have disappeared from your bag.

It might be beneficial to retrace your steps once again and look for places you know they aren't, such as the freezer or refrigerator. Many times, items go missing when we reach for them but then slam them away and forget about them.

3. Check the Outside

You've been working hard all day and are now ready to head home put on your comfy sweats, eat pizza and on your favorite TV show. You find that your keys to your car are missing.

While you're retracing your steps take a look at areas that are overly cluttered like desks and tabletops and also the pockets of your clothing items. You can also put your keys in a congested area, such as the door handle or in the refrigerator.

Under the car is another favorite place to hide. If you choose to hide your keys there, make sure that you can open the gas cap on your car from outside. Otherwise, thieves could be able to spot the keys you have hidden under your car key lost the keys to my car what to do (visit the next website page).

You can also store your keys in a corner on the dashboard or under the seats. Make sure you don't put them there too tightly or you'll accidentally smash them when you close the car door.

4. Contact the police

Sometimes, we lose things because we are just a little bit distracted. You could be running a quick errand and have your keys on the seat or you might need two free hands to carry a load of groceries. It happens to every person.

If you have i lost my only car key something, it is important to notify the police right away. You can then file a police report to help protect your car from thieves. This step is especially crucial if your keys get replacing lost keys outside of your home at the grocery store, or at a location that is public.

Before you do this ensure that you follow your steps. Try to play the role of Sherlock Holmes and recreate the scene in your head from when you last observed them. It's also an excellent idea to ask other people in the area if they have seen your car keys. This will help keep your car safe and prevent others from using it (which may result in extra costs such as new ignition and door locks). It is a good idea in the event that you have an extra car key to duplicate it in the event that you lose it again.

5. Call for a locksmith

People often forget where they placed their keys, particularly when they're distracted or in a rush. There are a few basic tips you can use to help.

Start by retracing the steps you've already taken and searching in the places you believe they may be. If you're still not able to locate them, make sure you check your car. Many people have keys that are hanging from the keychain or in the visor, so it's worth taking a look.

Lastly, call an locksmith to find out if they can assist you in finding your lost keys. They might be able to cut keys or replace the locks if required. They also have the tools and expertise to remove broken or bent keys from locked doors.

Be prepared to show proof of ownership when you call a locksmith. This includes your vehicle registration or title. Depending on your situation, you may need to wait for a new key from the dealership, which can take several days.

6. Call Your Insurance Agent

You may lose your keys to your car at times and it can cause you to lose your day. You might have been running a quick errand when you accidentally threw your keys off the seat, or you may have put them down to get something to grab for a second and lost track.

Reporting a lost or stolen key to the police as soon as you can is important. This will be recorded on paper and will stop other people from using your car without your permission. This will also help you avoid getting penalized.

The homeowner's insurance policy could cover your keys if you've reported them as lost to local police. They are considered personal property. However, it's best to speak with your agent to confirm that you're covered before you file a claim.

You might want to consider keeping an extra key, or purchasing a Bluetooth tracker like Apple AirTags Tiles, AirTags, or the numerous other options available. This will help you avoid going through the hassle of a car keys replacement and give you peace of mind knowing your keys are always within reach.

7. Get a Bluetooth Key Tracker

You can lose your keys at any time. You might be out for a quick errand and you forget to place them on the seat or you may be getting out of your car after an exhausting day at work and you can't remember where you put them.

There are ways to stop this happening again. One of the best ways is to make use of a Bluetooth key tracker. These tiny devices can be connected to a keyring or wallet and connect to an app on your phone. The app will flash or ring when you open it to aid you in finding your keys. A majority of these Bluetooth trackers also have community functions, so that others can assist you to find them if they are out of range.

You can also avoid losing your keys by placing them in the same spot every time you come home. It doesn't matter if you put them in an table or hang them on a hook near the door. Making this a habit will make it easier to locate your keys in the future.

8. Get a New Key

Whether you've lost your car keys or they've been stolen the most important thing is to notify your insurance company immediately. You can be sure that your claim will get taken care of if something happens to the car in the future.

If you own a standard key (which doesn't have chip) you can simply get an replacement from any locksmith or hardware store. This is the fastest and cheapest solution.

For modern vehicles with an electronic key that requires an electronic fob, it could be a little more difficult. You'll have to visit your local dealer to get a replacement key. Depending on the make and model of your vehicle this could cost you upwards of $200.

To avoid this, keep a spare set of keys in a different place than your keys. It's also a good idea to get rid of clutter in your house or office particularly in the areas where you are likely to lose things.